A Worsening Sea - Fever

I've had what John Masefield terms "sea - fever" for quite as long as I can remember. I adore anything to do with 'ships and the open sea'. 

I am not quite sure how it came about. Perhaps from far too many readings of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, perhaps from our trip to Maine when I was all of seven years old, or perhaps simply because the sea is stunning.

But I especially adore ships.

Not only are they an excellent metaphor for life in general, but they are quite simply...beautiful. They are wild and free, running the crest of the waves, chasing the wind, and dancing with the ocean. 

Therefore, when I came across this poem a few weeks ago, I'm afraid I rather fell in love all over again. 

Enjoy! :) 

Sea Fever: 

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and sky

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by. 

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking

And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking

I must go down to the seas again for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied. 

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying

And the flung spray and the blown spume and the sea - gulls flying

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life 

To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife 

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over. 

           -John Masefield